Mansell overtook Berger for third place on the eighth lap and set off after Senna but the Brazilian as always did everything he could to stop Mansell passing him. On lap 31 Mansell made a mistake and dropped behind Berger again but within a couple of laps Mansell was again ahead. On lap 39 Patrese spun off. He rejoined in seventh position but his engine blew soon afterwards. With Patrese out Mansell had only to finish second to clinch the World Championship. Mansell was no longer taking risks and Senna began to pull away. Mansell had a problem later in the race and had to pit and was sixth when he rejoined. He quickly caught and passed Mika Hakkinen's Lotus and was helped when Schumacher's rear wing broke as a result of being hit from behind earlier by Brundle. The German's Benetton was thrown into a series of high speed spins which fortunately did not end up in contact with a barrier. Mansell easily overtook Brundle and Berger and returned to second place. Senna made a precautionary pit stop in the closing stages but he was nearly a minute ahead and it made little difference.

In the final laps Hakkinen overtook Brundle (who was struggling without sixth gear) and tried to pass Berger. The Finn spun off and Brundle had to do the same to avoid a collision. They both rejoined.